Walter Roban, the Shadow Minister for Public Safety, has applauded Michael Dunkley’s stand on the confusion that led to families of war veterans not being allowed to march in the Remembrance Day Parade on Tuesday. However, the Pembroke East MP wants the Premier to take steps to ensure that there will be no repeat.

“The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party welcomes Premier Dunkley’s admission that denying relatives of war veterans the right to march on behalf of their deceased family members was a ‘mistake ... simply should never have happened’,” Mr Roban said in the statement.

“We were surprised, shocked and angered to hear of the incident, like so many others in the community. “The pain and disappointment in the voice of Ms Glenda Anderson, who appeared on television expressing her displeasure with what happened, has touched the hearts of many Bermudians.”

Mr Roban added: “It was believed by the PLP that such attacks on the rights of Bermudians who had served in past wars ended in 2007 with the amendments to the War Pensions Act. The changes recognised those who had previously been denied for decades their entitlement to war pension benefits and healthcare. It was also the year previously unrecognised veterans where allowed to lay wreaths on the Cenotaph.

“The work of the PLP to rewrite this longstanding injustice culminated with the opening of a new War Monument on the Cabinet grounds in 2011 recognising all men and women who served in both World Wars.

“It is important now that the Premier, as Minister of National Security, gives the appropriate directive that guarantees the presence of family members, representing deceased or infirmed veterans, as a permanent part of the annual Remembrance Day Parade.”